Hyundai India has just unveiled the Aura compact sedan, a car that will sit above the Xcent in terms of positioning but well below the Verna. Prices are yet to be announced and Hyundai has stated that the car’s official launch will happen in early 2020. A sub-4 meter offering, the Hyundai Aura will take on the Maruti Dzire, Honda Amaze, Volkswagen Ameo, Ford Aspire and the Tata Tigor in India’s hotly competitive compact sedan segment. The Aura is essentially the compact sedan version of the Grand i10 NIOS B-Segment hatchback, and the front end of the car looks very similar to the NIOS. At the rear though, the boot integration makes the Aura look quite distinct from the Grand i10 NIOS.
The compact sedan gets three engine options, all of them Bharat Stage 6 (BS6) compliant. The petrol engines include a 1.2 liter-4 cylinder naturally aspirated unit with 82 Bhp-114 Nm and a 1 liter-3 cylinder turbocharged unit with 98.6 Bhp-172 Nm. The diesel engine is a newly developed 1.2 liter-3 cylinder unit with 75 Bhp-190 Nm on tap.
All engines get 5 speed manual gearboxes as standard. The 1.2 liter petrol and diesel motors get 5 speed automated manual transmission (AMT) options. These engines are likely to be offered on the Grand i10 NIOS from early next year. Notably, the Aura is the first Hyundai car to get BS6 compliant.
Coming to the other aspects of the Hyundai Aura, the compact sedan is 3,995 mm long, 1,680 mm tall, 1,520 mm wide and gets a 2,450 mm wheelbase. The car gets a slew of features like most Hyundais. There’s wireless charging, a digital instrument cluster with multi-information display, an 8 inch touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, Arkamys audio for the sound system and a rear view monitor for real time display of what’s happening behind the car. In terms of space on the inside, Hyundai claims that the Aura will offer 1,050 mm of legroom at the front. 885 mm of legroom at the rear and a boot that has a capacity of 402 liters.
The Hyundai Aura will co-exist with the Xcent, which is also likely to get the naturally aspirated petrol and turbocharged diesel engines from the new car. The Xcent is likely to become a cab-only offering under Hyundai’s Prime (taxi specific) range. A specific announcement about when the Xcent will be replaced in the private car buyer market with the Aura is yet to come. We expect this transition to happen as soon as the Aura is officially launched in early 2020.
Tata will launch their first electric SUV in the Indian market next year and it will be launched in the form of Nexon EV. Tata has officially showcased the Nexon EV today and has revealed all the details of the car. It will be launched in early 2020 and Tata will start accepting the bookings for the car from tomorrow.
The all-new Tata Nexon EV will inspire the facelifted version of the Nexon. However, the Nexon EV will have a few unique design points that will help the onlookers to distinguish it from the regular Nexon. The Tata Nexon EV will be available in a single colour, which is the Teal colour. Also, there will be blue highlights all over the body of the car that will make it look different from the regular version of the car. Similar highlights are visible inside the cabin too.
Talking about the cabin, the dashboard of the Tata Nexon EV looks quite like the regular Nexon. However, the instrument cluster gets a 7.0-inch digital display, which displays various things. The central console also gets a 7,0-inch TFT display. The Nexon EV gets a dial in the centre, which acts like gear selector.
Since it is a futuristic vehicle, Tata has added over 30 connectivity features on the console. These features include remote controlled commands, alerts and other warnings like tow-away alert, theft alert and more. Tata has developed a dedicated app for the Nexon EV that will show all the readings from the vehicle remotely.
Tata will initially offer three variants of the Nexon EV – XM, XZ+ and XZ+ LUX. The entry-level Nexon EV XM will get features like automatic climate control system, two drive modes, keyless entry and push-button start/stop. The XZ+ variant will get additional features like 16-inch diamond-cut alloy wheels, a 7.0-inch infotainment system, a rear camera and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The top-end variant will come with a long feature list including a sunroof, leatherette seats and automatic wipers/headlamps.
The Tata Nexon EV will use the Ziptron EV technology that will power the vehicle with a 30.2 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. It delivers a total of 129 Bhp and a peak torque of 245 Nm. The Nexon EV is quick off the mark and can hit 60 km/h mark in just 4.6 seconds while it can touch the 100 km/h mark in just 9.9 seconds. Tata has not revealed the driving range of the Nexon EV but it is expected to be more than 300 km on a single charge. Tata claims that the Nexon EV has a running cost of 1/5 times the cost of a regular Internal Combustion engine vehicle. Also, this powertrain has been tested for over 1 million kilometres in different terrains.
The Nexon EV gets a fast-charging system that can take the charge to 80% from zero in an hour. Using a regular household charger, it can reach the full capacity in 8-9 hours. The price is expected to be around Rs 15-17 lakhs.
Hyundai Venue, which was launched earlier this year in the Indian market is currently one of the best-selling cars in the segment. The Hyundai Venue was globally launched around the world earlier this year and it is also on sale in many developed markets like Australia and the USA. The Australasian New Car Assesment Program (A-NCAP) has tested the new Hyundai Venue and has rated it accordingly.
According to the new ratings, the Hyundai Venue has scored 4 stars out of 5. The Hyundai Venue has managed to score a very high 91 per cent when it comes it adult safety. The score stands 34.8 out of 38. The child occupancy score is 40/49, which means it scored 81 per cent. The Australian version of the Hyundai Venue gets Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), which automatically engages the brake of the vehicle when it detects a pedestrian and other obstacles including cars on the road.
The Australian-spec Hyundai Venue gets a long list of safety features that includes ABS+EBD, seat belt pre-tensioners and reminders, AEB for City, Interurban, and Vulnerable Road, lane support system with lane keep assist. It also gets Lane departure warning and emergency land keeping system. The Australian-spec Hyundai Venue also gets powered by a bigger 1.6-litre petrol engine 122 Bhp and 151 Nm.
The Hyundai Venue in India is in the second position on the sales chart and is behind the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza. The Hyundai Venue comes loaded with features and there are many first-in-segment features including air purifier, Internet-connected infotainment system and more such features.
The Indian spec of the Hyundai Venue has not been tested by NCAP yet. It will be tested by Global NCAP if it happens. However, one should know that there is a huge difference between the A-NCAP and G-NCAP when it comes to testing of the products. The variant tested by A-NCAP is on sale in Australia and New Zealand.
The Hyundai Venue has become one of the quickest selling vehicles in the market and is currently one of the best-selling models from the brand. It is also the only car in the segment in India to offer a 7-speed DCT with the petrol variants. The car gets powered by a naturally-aspirated 1.2-litre petrol engine, a 1.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine and a 1.4-litre diesel engine.
Maruti Suzuki has just launched a fully-loaded version of one its best selling car – the Alto 800. The Alto 800, in the newly launched VXi trim, gets a touchscreen infotainment system, which Maruti calls SmartPlay. Apart from GPS navigation and music, this infotainment system also brings in smartphone connectivity with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay apps. The new variant is priced at Rs. 3.8 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi.
The car is mechanically unchanged. It continues to be powered by a 796 cc, triple cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine – a tried and tested unit – with 47 Bhp-69 Nm. This engine is also available with a CNG-Petrol dual fuel options on certain trims. A five speed manual gearbox drives the front wheels of the Alto 800, and there’s no automatic gearbox on offer, even as an option. The engine is BS6 (Bharat Stage 6) emission norms compliant.
If you do want an automatic option in the Alto range, you’ll have to pick the Alto K10, which uses a more powerful 1 liter petrol engine, and that gets a 5 speed automated manual transmission (AMT) in certain variants. Coming back to the Alto 800 VXi, it now gets a driver and passenger airbag, along with ABS+EBD as key safety features. Reverse parking sensors, speed alert system and seat belt reminders for both the driver and co-passenger are other safety features on offer with this car.
The Alto 800 rivals the Renault Kwid and the Datsun RediGo in India’s entry-level hatchback market. It’s one of the first choices among first time car buyers, who opt for it thanks to its low asking price, high reliability and fuel efficiency and low maintenance costs. Resale value is high and Maruti’s after sales service is among the best in the business. The car has consistently topped sales charts for this very reason, and buyers from both urban and rural India opt for this car. It was recently facelifted.
Mr. Shashank Srivastava, Executive Director (Marketing & Sales), Maruti Suzuki India Limited said,
At Maruti Suzuki, We have always strived to delight the first time car buyers with aspirational and modern features. In fact, 38-lakh strong Alto customers are a testament to people appreciating the timely upgrades and newness in the brand. The new Alto VXI+ with the Smart play Studio is tailor-made to offer a unique technology-driven experience to our customers. Alto VXI+ also carries forward the legacy of the Alto which is India’s best-selling car for 15 consecutive years. We thank our customers for their continued faith and trust.
Virat Kohli and Anoushka Sharma are one power couple of Bollywood and the sporting world. Both of them roam around the world together and often post pictures on their social media platforms. However, what do they drive when they are back home? Well, here is an exotic list of cars and SUVs that both Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma drive in India.
Bentley Continental GT
Virat Kohli bought a Bentley Continental GT in Delhi last year and was also spotted driving around in it on the public roads. The white-coloured car spotted with Kohli is a second-hand vehicle and the exact price is not known. However, a brand-new top-end Bentley Continental GT is priced at Rs 3.84 crore. The car is powered by a 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine that produces a maximum power of 500 Bhp and peak torque of 660 Nm.
Bentley Flying Spur
It seems like Virat Kohli has developed a taste for the British luxury car brand and has got a brand-new Bentley Continental Flying Spur too. He bought this Bentley in Mumbai and is often seen reaching the airport or leaving the airport in this very same car. Virat has also been spotted with Anushka Sharma driving around in the same car. The price of the Flying Spur starts at Rs 3.41 crore and goes up to Rs 3.93 crores. It gets powered by the same 4.0-litre V8 engine that generates a maximum of 500 Bhp and 660 Nm. There is a more powerful 6.0-litre W12 engine that develops a maximum of 616 Bhp and 800 Nm.
Land Rover Range Rover Vogue
The Land Rover Range Rover is the favourite car of many celebrities and Virat Kohli is no different. Virat owns a white-coloured Land Rover Range Rover Vogue, which is stationed in Delhi and carries his favourite “1818” registration number. Incidentally, even Anushka Sharma owns a similar model in Mumbai and that carries the “7272” registration number. The SUV is powered by a massive 4.4-litre V8 diesel engine that generates a maximum power of 335 Bhp and peak torque of 740 Nm. Virat uses the Rangie whenever he’s in the city.
Land Rover Range Rover Vogue
Anushka Sharma, the popular Bollywood actress and Virat Kohli’s wife also owns a Land Rover Range Rover Vogue and uses it almost all the time. Unlike most celebrities who have multiple cars, Anushka prefers a single daily drive machine. This car has been Anushka’s favourite for a long time now, and she’s always seen in it. The car is similar to Virat’s Range Rover Vogue and is similarly specced. It is powered by a 4.4-litre V8 diesel engine that generates a maximum 335 Bhp and 740 Nm of peak torque.
Audi RS5
The Audi RS5 belong the same S5 family but is a high-performance version of the car. The Audi RS5 is a track-oriented coupe that comes with an expensive price tag of Rs 1.1 crore. It comes to the Indian market as a Completely Built Unit, which makes it much more expensive. It is a performance car that gets powered by a 2.9-litre turbocharged petrol engine. It generates a maximum power of 444 Bhp and a peak torque of 600 Nm. The RS5 can do 0-100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds! The first Audi RS5 that came to India was gifted to Kohli.
Audi R8 LMX
Virat earlier owned the Audi R8 V10, which was sold to a scammer. His old was found rotting recently. However, Virat also owns the latest Audi R8 LMX, which he received in 2015. There are only 99 examples of the model ever made around the world. It gets a laser headlamp technology among many other high-end features and comes with a price tag of around Rs 2.97 crore. The Audi R8 LMX is powered by a 5.2-litre naturally aspirated V10 engine that generates a maximum power of 570 Bhp and peak torque fo 540 Nm. The car comes with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission that sends the power to all the four wheels.
Audi S5
Virat Kohli is the official brand ambassador of Audi India and owns a number of cars from the luxury German brand. The S5 was launched by Kohli in India and it carries a price tag of Rs 70.6 lakh, ex-showroom. The coupe-inspired design of the Audi S5 makes it look quite good on the road and also attracts a lot of attention on the roads. The car gets powered by a 3.0-litre V6 turbocharged engine that generates a maximum power of 349 Bhp. The power goes to all the wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Audi Q7
Virat Kohli also owns the latest-generation of Audi Q8 which was also launched by him in the Indian market. The new Q7 was launched with new-age features like the full-LED headlamps, HUD, and Audi cockpit. Virat also owned the older-generation Audi Q7. This SUV is powered by a 3.0-litre V6 engine that generates a maximum power of 245 Bhp and peak torque of 600 Nm. It also gets a petrol engine option.
Audi A8L
The Indian cricket captain also owns the flagship saloon – Audi A8 L in India. The A8 L saloon is very luxurious and also looks extremely aggressive on the roads. The most powerful variant of the Audi A8 L is powered by a 6.8-litre W12 engine that generates a maximum power of 494 Bhp and peak torque of 625 Nm. It comes with a price tag of around Rs 2 crores.
Toyota Fortuner
Anushka Sharma in Virat Kohli’s Toyota Fortuner
Anushka Sharma also moves around in an older-generation Toyota Fortuner in India. The SUV belongs to Virat Kohli and he has been spotted moving in the vehicle too. It should be noted that Virat Kohli is the brand ambassador of Toyota India and used to promote the Etios Liva hatchback.
Tata Nexon one among the most popular compact SUV in the country. while rivals of Nexon are famous for features and styling. Nexon gained popularity because of build quality. It achieved 5 star rating in the Global NCAP crash tests and this made Nexon first ever Indian car to achieve this milestone. Since the results came out, Tata Motors had made a point that they stress on safety parameter on most of Nexon’s advertisement. Here we have a video about Nexon XMA Variant which is currently India’s most affordable automatic compact SUV.
The video has been uploaded by AutoTrend TV on their youtube channel. THe video starts by showing what looks like a base variant Tata Nexon at a dealership. The video later reveals that it is the XMA variant of the Nexon. It does not get the funky alloy wheels, projector headlamps, fog lamps, blacked out A and B pillars and so on. Even without so many features missing on the outside, This variant is still one of the best selling one. The reason behind that is because XMA is a well equipped car even after being a mid-level variant.
The video then shows the interiors of the car. The interiors look similar to the one that seen on higher variants. The quality of materials used is the same. It gets lots of soft touch plastic on doors and the piano black finish for the centre console and the silver coloured plate running along the dashboard also adds up to the look of the cabin.
The main difference inside the cabin is the missing touchscreen infotainment system. The XMA variant just gets a small button operated infotainment system which is still powered by Harman. The steering wheel also gets mounted controls for audio adjustments and to attend or disconnect some calls via bluetooth. Other thing missing is the chrome and the automatic air-con when compared to the higher trims.
The Nexon is powered by both petrol and diesel engines. The petrol is 1.2L engine whereas the Diesel is a 1.5L unit. Both the engines will soon be upgraded to meet BS6 emission norms. Tata Nexon is also the only car in the segment to provide AMTs with both petrol and diesel variants. Tata is also working on a Nexon facelift and electric version of Nexon based on the facelifted model. This is most likely to be unveiled at the upcoming Auto Expo 2020.
The Maruti Ertiga, just in its second generation in the Indian market, has blasted past the 5 lakh sales mark. The relatively compact MPV managed to achieve these numbers in 8 years, which means that it has averaged over 5,000 units every single month since its launch way back in 2012. The Ertiga now has a butch-ly styled sibling called the XL6, which is essentially a 6 seater version with additional luxury and features, and that’s sold exclusively through the NEXA network. Maruti sells the Ertiga through the ARENA dealer network.
Speaking on the feat, Mr. Shashank Srivastava, Executive Director (Marketing & Sales), Maruti Suzuki India Limited said,
Ertiga created a niche for itself as a 3 row comfortable MPV to become a runaway success. Its success helped us to strengthen market presence in the MPV segment. Ertiga is a market leader with 36% market share amongst MPVs and its leadership continues with support from customers.
The Maruti Ertiga sold in India is offered with two engine options: a 1.5 liter-4 cylinder K-Series mild hybrid petrol with 104 Bhp-138 Nm, and a 1.5 liter-4 cylinder turbocharged diesel with 94 Bhp-225 Nm. The petrol engine gets 5 speed manual and 4 speed torque converter automatic gearbox options. The Ertiga also gets a CNG-Petrol option. The diesel engine gets a 6 speed manual gearbox as standard. The petrol engine of the Ertiga is BS6 (Bharat Stage 6) compliant, and soon, Maruti will discontinue the diesel engined model as the automaker has not made it BS6 compliant.
Now, what makes the Ertiga so popular among buyers?
Affordability. The Ertiga is relatively affordable as every other MPV – read the Mahindra Marazzo and the Toyota Innova Crysta – that seats 7 is priced at least a couple of lakhs higher. So, the Ertiga sits in a sweet spot, attracting buyers who want a practical people mover at a relatively accessible price point.
Reliable, fuel efficient and affordable to maintain. These are traits that run across almost every Maruti Suzuki car and the Ertiga is no different. These are some of the most important factors that buyers seek while purchasing a new car.
Compact enough to be a personal car, and fit tight spaces. The Ertiga is spacious enough for Indian builds, while being compact enough for everyday use. Compared to the likes of the Mahindra Marazzo and the Toyota Innova Crysta, the Ertiga is a much smaller MPV that is easier to drive and park on a daily basis.
Strong resale value. Again, this is a trait that’s common across most Maruti cars, and is another factor that seals the deal in favour of the Ertiga. Good after sales service is another major factor going for this MPV.
Although the Kia Seltos is selling 10,000 units each month, modified versions have been few and far in between. Many owners may be wary of modifying their Seltos SUVs in the fear of losing warranty, and since Kia Motors is a new entrant in the Indian market, these fears may be expressing themselves a little more than they should. Exceptions always exist, like this Kia Seltos owner from Kerala, who has tastefully modified his wine-red coloured SUV to look very classy indeed. The modification has been carried out by Perfamana, a car customization outfit from Calicut, Kerala.
The list of modifications runs thus: 19 inch TSW Chicane wheels, Bodex artificial leather seats in a diamond cut with a black combination, Chrome delete, complete roof painted to glossy black, roof rails painted glossy black, front grill painted black, full option model’s tail lamps, front and rear lip repainted with body colour and grey combination, select portions of the front and rear bumpers painted glossy black and F1 number plates.
From the images, it’s clear that the Seltos in question is not a top-end model. What’s also unknown is the variant and engine-gearbox details of this particular modified Seltos.
The Kia Seltos sold in India is offered with three engines, and multiple gearbox combinations. All engines are Bharat Stage 6 (BS6) emission norms compliant. The entry-level engine is a 1.5 liter-4 cylinder unit with 114 Bhp-142 Nm. It gets 6 speed manual and CVT automatic gearbox options. The CVT automatic gearbox makes this trim of the Seltos a great option for those who want a compact SUV for smooth and sedate driving primarily on city roads.
The diesel engine offered with the Seltos is a 1.5 liter-4 cylinder turbocharged unit with 115 Bhp-250 Nm outputs. 6 speed manual and torque converter automatic gearboxes are on offer. The diesel engined Seltos offers punchy performance and great fuel efficiency. Both the manual and automatic variants offer very high refinement levels.
The top-end petrol engine offered with the Seltos is a 1.4 liter turbocharged unit that makes 138 Bhp-242 Nm. This engine is paired with a 6 speed manual gearbox as standard while higher trims get a 7 speed twin clutch automatic gearbox. The Seltos with the twin clutch automatic gearbox is a natural choice for driving enthusiasts. The Seltos even has a sport mode that weighs up the steering very nicely, making it a lot more fun to drive. The suspension of this compact SUV is stiff enough for enthusiastic driving. Prices of the Kia Seltos start from Rs. 9.69 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi.
Volkswagen car owners with the likes of the Polo, Ameo, Vento and Tiguan in their garages don’t need to drive to a nearest Volkswagen service center for routine service. The service center will come to you. No, we’re not talking about a pick-up-and-drop service from a Volkswagen dealer but a new doorstep service that the German car brand has launched across 45 Indian cities. You need to live within 25 kilometers of the nearest Volkswagen dealer to avail doorstep service though. It kind of makes it pointless as doorstep service would be more useful for those not in the vicinity of a service center but that’s how Volkswagen has designed its doorstep service program, which will cover cars such as the Polo, Vento, Ameo and Tiguan. Volkswagen’s doorstep service will include small on-site repairs, breakdown assistance and routine service jobs.
Meanwhile, Steffen Knapp, Director, Volkswagen Passenger Cars India said,
At Volkswagen, we are constantly working towards enhancing our customer experience through various programs. We aim to offer a holistic purchase experience with a special focus on aftersales service initiatives. Volkswagen’s Assistance is our unique program that is specifically curated for customers with a fast-paced life, technologically savvy and prefer convenience at their door-step.
It’s not just Volkswagen who’s offering such service in India. Maruti Suzuki has been a pioneer with its doorstep service initiative and recently, Hyundai also launched its own version of doorstep service. Generally speaking, doorstep service is useful for those who live far away from regular service centers. By taking the service van to the doorstep of the customer, dealers are able to save on opening more service centers.
Also, customers are able to seamlessly access service without having to face the inconvenience of traveling long distances to get their vehicles serviced. The time saved is also a big benefit. Downtime is typically lower as the doorstep service will exclusively focus on a single car. In a regular service center, cars often wait to be attended on busy days, which means that the customer will not have access to the car for nearly the entire working day.
Another initiative that a lot of car makers in India have rolled out is ‘quick service’. Maruti, Toyota, Ford and Mahindra are prominent automakers offering quick service bays, which aim to finish routine maintenance and service in as little as 60 minutes. With electric cars in the offing, the time required to service a car will only reduce, liberating more time for customers.
Royal Enfield launched country’s most affordable twin cylinder motorcycles, Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650 last year. Both the models have become quite popular in the market. Just like any other Royal Enfield motorcycle, people have also started modifying Interceptors and Continental GT 650. Here we have one such Continental GT 650 from Autologue design which is installed with their latest cafe racer kit.
The GT 650 in the video looks quite good. Autologue calls this cafe racer kit ‘Reck 2’. The Kit consists of a boomerang shaped front fairing which houses an all-LED headlamp with turn indicators integrated into it. Other accessory that comes as a part of the kit is the Reck side panels and rear seat cowl. Other changes done as a part of modification include a new paint job, pinstriping on fairing and tank.
There is also a leather wrap on the handle bar. Apart from these additions rest of the bike remains stock and retains the original GT traits. The modification on the GT 650 is a subtle addition to an already good looking motorcycle. The beat part about this cafe racer kit is that Autologue has made this available on their website. If anyone is interested in modifying their GT similarly, they can get in touch with Autologue and they will make it available for you. To know more about the Autologue cafe race racer kit click here.
Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 and Interceptor were not just launched in India. It was launched globally and is available in international market also. It received an overwhelming response from customers around the world. In India, both bikes come with a long waiting period. It is the value-of-money factor that makes both the bikes very special and very popular too.
Both Interceptor and the Continental GT650 are powered by the 647cc, parallel-twin, air-cooled plus oil-cooled engine that produces a maximum power of 47 Bhp and peak torque of 52 Nm. It gets a 6-speed transmission with a slipper clutch as standard. Royal Enfield is also working on a BS6 version of their Classic and Thunderbird models. These bikes been spotted a couple of times on testing duties on Indian roads.
Hyundai Venue is the latest car in the sub-4 metre compact SUV segment. It was launched earlier this year and became an instantaneous hit in the segment. It even became the top selling SUV in the segment for a month or two. It still is one the best selling SUV in the country and is doing great in terms of sales. People have already started modifying Venue and some of them have also installed CNG kit to it. Here we have one such Hyundai Venue Turbo Petrol which is installed with a CNG kit. The video stresses on the performance of the Turbo CNG Venue of a road trip from Gujarat to Goa.
The video has been uploaded by Sai Fuel CNG on their youtube channel. The video starts from Gujarat’s Baroda city where the video explains the new addition, the CNG kit in the Venue. Her shows all the fuel gauge for CNG and also also shows how many kilometers it has done after refilling.
He then explains the route and that they will be taking and talks a bit about the destination, ‘Goa’. During the course of this drive, video also mentions all the CNG fuel stations that are their on the route. He fills up the Venue with CNG several times from various stations and mentions the exact location in the video. The Venue takes Gujarat-Mumbai-Pune-outskirts of Karnataka route and finally enters Goa. It takes approximately 24 hrs to for the Venue to reach Goa.
The Drive then analyses the Performance of Hyundai Venue Turbo CNG. As per the video the Turbo CNG performed pretty well. Nowhere during the road trip it faced any issues. The Venue in the video is also a DCT equipped one. As per the video, no warning lights came up and the throttle response of the vehicle was also pretty good.
The Venue petrol used in this video uses a 1.0L, 3 cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine. It generates a maximum power of 118 Bhp and peak torque of 172 Nm. After installing the CNG kit, the exact power and torque outputs while running on CNG are not known. However, it’ll have a power and torque drop. Venue is also available with a 1.2L naturally aspirated petrol and 1.4L turbo diesel engine with manual transmissions only. The naturally aspirated petrol makes 82 Bhp-114 Nm, and is paired to a 5 speed manual gearbox. The diesel makes 89 Bhp-220 Nm, and is paired to a 6 speed manual gearbox.
Maruti Suzuki Swift is one those hatchbacks in Indian market that modifiers love to the core. Swift has been in the country for a while now and Maruti Suzuki is putting in constant efforts to keep up with the competition. Maruti Suzuki Swift competes with the likes of Hyundai Grand i10 Nios and Ford Figo in the segment. As mentioned above, the Swift is a modification friendly vehicle and many examples of the same are available in different parts of our country. Here we have one such Swift that gets some subtle modifications which makes it look a bit more aggressive.
The video has been uploaded by Vinay Kapoor on his youtube channel. He shows one of his clients new-generation Swift that is installed with a Stage one predator kit. Talking about the body kit, it is installed on all the four sides of the car. Starting from the front, there is a three piece splitter fixed on to the lower part of the bumper. It It gives the Swift a low stance without compromising the ground clearance. Another thing is the material with which the predator kit is made of. According to the video, this kit is made from high strength composite alloy which is light in weight and does not rust. It is stronger than the normal plastic or fibre body kits and the chances of breaking it is also very less.
Just like the one in front, it has a piece installed at the rear and the sides as well. The changes made to the Swift are very subtle but, these small changes add up to the overall aggressive look of the hatchback. Apart from these changes, the vehicle remains in stock condition. It is the VDI variant and does not even get the alloy wheel. This kit can be installed on any hatchback and sedan and the price of this predator kit including shipping charges is Rs 10,000 which is great considering how strong and long lasting this product could be.
The all-new Swift gets both petrol and diesel engine options. There is a 1.2-litre petrol engine that develops a maximum power of 83 Bhp and 113 Nm. The 1.3-litre Multijet diesel engine in the Swift produces a maximum power of 74 Bhp and a peak torque of 190 Nm. Both the petrol and diesel engine options get AMT automatic transmission. The 1.3L diesel engine which does the duty in many other Maruti cars will be discontinued after the BS6 emission norms get implemented next year. so if you are planning to a buy diesel Swift, this could be your last chance.
Skoda is currently working on couple of models for Indian market and one of the first model to launch next year from Skoda will be the Karoq SUV. The SUV will be based on MQB platform and will be more or less similar to the model sold in international markets. It is already on sale in United Kingdom and here we have two videos that say what do they think of this mid-size SUV from Skoda. The video has been uploaded by CarsGuide and the second is from Auto Social UK youtube channels.
The first review is from CarsGuide youtube channel where the anchor talks about how the Karoq fits in as a proper family SUV. She talks about all the practical bits of the Karoq SUV like huge bootspace, electric tail gate, completely foldable rear seats, rear AC vents and so on. She also talks about the touchscreen infotainment system, leather seats and other safety features that Karoq gets. The anchor is very much impressed by the looks of Karoq. It looks basically like a smaller version of the Kodiaq SUV that we have here in our country. She is very much impressed by the way Karoq drives, the power, the comfort all according to the anchor was up to the mark.
Second video is from Auto Social UK youtube channel. Compared to the first video, this video is about the Sportline edition of the Karoq. This video also talks about the clever things that Skoda has done to make this SUV more practical. The anchor is pretty impressed with the interior space, features and quality and also talks about how upmarket the cabin looks at night. Karoq is definitely a good looking SUV and none of the above videos have any issues with it. The anchor is also pretty impressed by the way Karoq drives and the ride comfort is also commendable as per video. to conclude both the videos show that Karoq is a good looking, fun to drive mid-size SUV that is worth waiting for.
Coming to the Karoq for India, Skoda is likely to skip the diesel option. In India, the SUV is likely to be offered with a more powerful 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine that will generate around 148 Bhp of maximum power. The car may get CNG options as the VW Group is working on alternative fuels. 6 speed manual and 7 speed twin clutch automatic gearboxes are likely to be on offer.
Toyota Fortuner is one of the most popular full-size SUV in the country. Fortuner made its way to Indian shores back in 2009 and ever since then it has been popular. Years have passed by and Toyota launched a new version of the Fortuner SUV. The latest generation is more of a futuristic looking, butch SUV. The Fortuner is well equipped and feature loaded SUV, but there are people who want even more from the SUV. For that they customise or modify these SUVs to their liking. Here we have one such Toyota Fortuner that has been customised as per customers liking.
The video has been uploaded by VIG AUTO ACCESSORIES on their youtube channel. In this video they show a latest generation Fortuner of one their clients on which they have installed an aftermarket 360 degree camera. Four camera’s have been installed on the Fortuner to get the 360 degree view. First camera is installed on the front grille, right under the Toyota logo. Other two are installed under the left and rigt rear view mirrors and the last one is fixed at the rear of the car.
The 360 degree camera feed is seen on a huge Tesla like media screen which is also installed as part of the package. The Tesla screen gives all the important information like, AC controls, vehicle info and it supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The screen is also configured for playing videos and has an inbuilt 4GB RAM and 64 GB internal storage. The audio quality from the Tesla media player is also pretty decent.
The Clarity of the camera is also pretty good. The positioning of the camera’s make it easier for the driver to park and drive through tight spots during rush hour traffic. The camera’s give the driver a great view of the surrounding. Another feature is that as soon as the driver puts on turn indicator, the camera of that particular side shows up on the screen and reveals the surrounding so that driver can figure out if there is any obstacle in front of the wheel or car. The price of this accessory has not been mentioned in the video.
Coming back to the Toyota Fortuner, it’s India’s best selling luxury SUV, a status that it’s maintained for a decade. It’s sold with multiple engines and gearbox options. 4X4 is also on offer on the higher variants. Prices start from Rs. 27.84 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi.
Mahindra XUV300 is one of the most feature loaded SUV in the sub-4 metre compact SUV segment. It was launched earlier this year and was is doing good in terms of sales every month. The Mahindra XUV300 is based on the Ssangyong Tivoli compact SUV which is sold in the international market. It competes with likes of Tata Nexon, Ford EcoSport, Hyundai Venue, Maruti Brezza in its segment. Mahindra XUV300 does not get AWD as an option in any of the variants. Here we have a video that shows how XUV300 performs off the road.
The video has been uploaded by Review by Aj on his Youtube channel. The video starts by showing the area where the owner of the XUV300 is planning to do the off-roading. The location selected is a construction site with muddy sections, dusty roads, uneven surfaces and big potholes. He even says that in order to expose XUV300 to more of such off-road conditions, he takes it to multiple locations.
The XUV300 used in this video looks like a base variant. First, the car is taken through an uneven surface. It handles the rough patch pretty easily. Then he takes it to a place where he puts the approach n departure angle of this compact SUV to test. Then he drives the car through big pot holes and at this point the skid plate of the XUV300 nearly hits the ground at places. This does not mean that XUV300 does not have enough ground clearance. The XUV300 is never made for this purpose, but still manages to do a good job of it. In the video, driver also says that the even though XUV300 was going through so much on the outside, inside the cabin everything was fine and the ride comfort and suspension of the SUV felt very solid.
Mahindra recently launched the BS6 petrol variant of the XUV300 and the diesel BS6 will follow soon. Coming to the engine, there is a 1.2 liter-3 cylinder turbo petrol engine makes class leading torque of 200 Nm while peak power is also quite impressive at 115 Bhp. The petrol engine is offered with a six speed manual gearbox as standard. The diesel engine is 1.5L turbocharged unit that produces 115 Bhp-300 Nm torque. It’s shared with the Mahindra Marazzo. The diesel engine gets two gearbox options: a 6 speed manual and an AMT. Mahindra is also working on new generation XUV500, Scorpio and an all-new Thar.
Mahindra is India’s biggest utility vehicle manufacturer and has a range of vehicles sold inside and abroad. XUV500 is one such vehicle. It was one of the most premium SUV manufactured by Mahindra until the launch of Alturas G4. Even after so many years of the launch, XUV500 is still popular in the segment and doing decent numbers. The 7-seater SUV is now competing with the new comers like Tata Harrier, Kia Seltos, MG Hector in the market and is due for an update. Mahindra also offers a wide range of accessories for the XUV500 and here we have the list of official accessories that you can have with your XUV500.
The video shows a range of accessories that one buy for the XUV500. It starts with the seat covers which add character to the cabin of the XUV500. Second is the diamond cut alloy wheels for that sporty look. Then there is the Chrome garnish on the outside rear view mirror and front grille’s upper portion for that premium touch. Mahindra is also providing the reverse parking assist camera as an accessory for lower trims. All the accessories shown in the video can be purchased from Mahindra showrooms across the country. The same can be purchased online via Mahindra’s official e-store m2all.com.
Coming back to the XUV500, it is getting a bit outdated in comparison to its competition. Mahindra is currently working to launch the all-new XUV500. The upcoming vehicle will be launched in the Indian market next year and the vehicle has been spotted testing on our roads multiple times. The all-new XUV500 will look completely different from the current version of the model. It will be bigger and wider than the current generation.
Coming to the engine, Mahindra is developing an all-new 2.0-litre diesel engine that will be used to power the next-generation of Mahindra SUVs including the all-new XUV500, all-new Scorpio and the all-new Thar. With the new engine, the Mahindra XUV500 is expected to generate around a maximum of 180 Bhp, and about 400-420 Nm of torque. It will be an all-new BS6 compliant engine. Since Mahindra XUV500 is currently available in both 2WD and AWD versions, the all-new XUV500 is likely to offer the same. It is not known if the all-new XUV500 will offer a petrol engine option. However, there will be a choice of manual and automatic transmission options with the diesel engine.
Maruti Suzuki has been a hatchback that has always been close to the heart of modifiers and car enthusiast. There are numerous Swifts of various generation across the country that have been tastefully modified. Some of them have been featured on our website and here we have a similar car that has been modified. The Swift modified here can be called as one of the gorgeous looking cars that we have seen in the recent times.
The swift in the pictures is the current gen car and it gets equipped with Swift sport body kit. The bumper at the front has that wide grille with a black strip passing through the middle. The Headlamps remain the same but it has been blacked out to match with the overall character of the car. It still has the LED DRLs and if there was one word that would address the front of the car, then that would be ‘Butch’. It looks butch because of the Swift sport body kit.
Talking about the profile, major attraction is the multi spoke golden alloy wheels. The suspension of this Swift also has been tuned and it now sits lower than the stock versions. Apart from that there is a luggage rack on top with a carrier. These are the main changes that one would notice on this car from the side.
Coming to the rear, it has the same Suzuki Swift sport type double barrel exhaust tip on the bumper. The stock tail lights have been replaced with clear glass full LED ones. The whole roof, A,B and C Pillar along eith the spolier have been blacked out. As Maruti won’t be bringing Swift sport to India, this is how enthusiasts are fulfilling their wishes.
The Swift in India is powered by both petrol and diesel engine options. There is a 1.2-litre petrol engine that develops a maximum power of 83 Bhp and 113 Nm. The 1.3-litre Multijet diesel engine in the Swift produces a maximum power of 74 Bhp and a peak torque of 190 Nm. Both the petrol and diesel engine options get AMT automatic transmission. Maruti will soon be discontinuing the 1.3L diesel version and might introduce the new 1.5 BS6 compliant diesel engine later.
Royal Enfield Himalayan was one the only affordable adventure bike in the country until Hero launched Xpulse 200. Himalayan was a big hit in the market and is still doing decent numbers. Just like other Royal Enfields, Himalayan is also quite popular among modifiers and we have featured some of them on our website in the past. Most of the time, modifications done to Himalayan is to make it more adventure or touring friendly. Here we have one such motorcycle which can be called as one of world’s first big-bore Royal Enfield Himalayan.
The Himalayan in the video has been modified by Hitchcocks Motorcycle and is quite a looker. A number of modifications are made to the motorcycle. The video starts by showing the Brakes, the brake pads i the Himalayan have been upgraded for better stopping. Next is the Front mudguard raising kit and grille for front headlamp for protection from stones. The bike aso gets two fog lamps for better visibility at night and a bigger windshield than the standard one.
On the side it gets small pannier bags on both sides of the tank, It gets an engine guard for better protection and the pivot pegz footrests for better grip during an off-road adventure. It also gets a handle bar raiser, handguard set, adjustable clutch and brake levers and a petrol tank cap. Towards the rear it gets enhanced pannier and luggage bracket. These are the major changes made on the outside of the Himalayan.
The main modification done to this Himalayan however is the 462 big bore kit. The custom house machined out the existing liner from the 411-cc engine and this gave them the room to fit in an oversized forged piston with gaskets. This has improved the performance of the Himalayan. It also gets a free flow air filter and a custom exhaust. The bike continues to get the Fuel injection system but there is an option to go with carb as well. The Himalayan 462 also gets an option to switch the rear sprockets to manage the gear ratios in a better way. Overall the The Himalayan 462 looks like any other Himalayan but has a lot of different elements that makes it a very unique motorcycle. Soon, Royal Enfield will launch the BS6 version of the Himalayan in India. Test mules without camouflage were recently spotted, giving rise to speculation that the BS6 Himalayan is just a few weeks from launch.
The car registration number is something that someone puts a lot of efforts. While in India, there are a lot of people who bid for number plates and registration number, internationally many countries let the users choose the exact numberplate that they want and the bidding amount is much higher. An Indian businessman settled in Dubai paid as much as Rs 60 crores to get the number of his choice on his car.
The businessman, Balvinder Singh, bid for the number plate out of 80 special numbers. Balvinder Singh Sahni opted for the “D5” number, which was sold in an auction by Dubai Road and Transport Authority. The businessman, who is also known as Abu Sabah in Dubai spent as much as 33 million Dirhams for the special number. The man believes that his lucky number is “9”, which is why he shelled out such a big amount on the number.
Mr Sahni loves to collect special series numbers and he says that it is his passion to do so. This is not the only registration number that he won through the bidding process. In the past, Balvinder Sahni won the “O5” registration number in Dubai and paid a whopping 25 million Dirhams that translates into Rs 45.3 crores. Balvinder says that he will continue to bid for such number plates in the future too and he will get more unique number plates for his prized possessions.
The bidding process held by the Dubai Road and Transport Authority saw as many as 300 bidders choosing between 80 number plates. The D5 registration number has seen the biggest draw in the past too and it is the most expensive number plate sold by the authorities in history. This also makes the number one of the most expensive registration number in the world.
Mr Sahni owns a range of luxury cars and a number of Rolls Royce vehicles. The exact cars in his garage are not known but it seems to be more than 100 cars at least. He is a realtor in the UAE region and also has businesses in other countries. Balvinder Sahni is the owner of RSG International, which is a property management company that operates in UAE, Kuwait, India and the United States of America.
Such auctioning of number plates is also a way for the authorities to earn money and it is a huge source of revenue. Every month, the Dubai administration holds auctions and it attracts a lot of billionaires and celebrities in the city. Dubai is known for its exquisite things and this is just one of many things that the city has to offer.
Maruti Suzuki is working on a mid life makeover for one of its best selling SUVs – the Vitara Brezza. The sub-4 meter compact SUV, introduced in 2016, still manages to sell over 10,000 units consistently each month. This, despite not having a petrol engine option in a segment whose other SUVs offer petrol engine options. The Bharat Stage 6 (BS6) emission norms will force the Brezza to go petrol, and along with the engine change, Maruti will also give the sub-4 meter SUV a full makeover to make it more attractive considering growing competition. Here is a speculative render from Shoeb R Kalania, showing what the facelifted Maruti Brezza could look like.
As the render indicates, the facelifted Maruti Brezza could be heavily influenced by the Suzuki Vitara, a larger compact SUV that the Japanese automaker sells internationally. The vertically slatted grille is a major highlight in the Brezza’s refreshed design while other elements at the front such as the headlamps, bumper, bonnet and fog lamp housings also see major changes. The headlamps get kinks, like the ones that are seen on the Maruti Ertiga and XL6 models. To sum up the front end makeover, it makes the Vitara Brezza look more butch than the current version. Other changes on the SUV could include new alloy wheels and revised rear end styling.
On the inside, expect some feature additions, new seat fabric and interior trim colours, but the overall layout of the dashboard and other bit are likely to be carried over from the pre-facelift model. Under the hood, changes will be acute. The 1.3 liter Fiat Multijet diesel engine, which makes 89 Bhp-200 Nm, will make way for a 1.5 liter-4 cylinder K-Series naturally aspirated petrol engine-mild hybrid combination. The petrol engine – already BS6 compliant – will be paired to a 5 speed manual gearbox as standard while a torque converter automatic gearbox is expected to be offered as an option. Notably, this engine is already offered with these combinations in the Ertiga, XL6 and Ciaz. The Vitara Brezza will be fourth Maruti car to get the same powertrain combination.
Maruti could reintroduce diesel on the Vitara Brezza Facelift after a while. India’s largest car maker is said to be working on a BS6 compliant version of the in-house 1.5 liter turbo diesel engine. Once that happens, the motor is likely to find its way not just into the facelifted Vitara Brezza but also the Ertiga, S-Cross Ciaz and XL6 models. Meanwhile, the facelifted Maruti Brezza is likely to be launched in early 2020, at the Indian Auto Expo in February. It may not be cheaper than the outgoing diesel though as the 1.5 liter petrol engine will negate the excise duty benefits that the Vitara Brezza would have qualified for had the engine been smaller than 1.2 liters.
